 Guest Reviews
''perfect location, wonderfully helpful staff, view from room was fantastic.''
We had the pleasure of staying 3 nights at the Sumengen Hotel in Old Istanbul. The Sumengen is a small hotel in a terrific location in the heart of the quiet part of the old city. The Blue Mosque and Agha Sofia are minutes away and the terrace views from many rooms and from the breakfast room are stunning. The staff was incredibly helpful with all our group and went out of their way to make our stay smooth. Free internet, a huge breakfast and very large rooms too. The ambiance of this hotel is certainly Turkish and we would stay there again for sure.
''A quaint little hotel with excellent service.”
I stayed at the Sumengen Hotel for 4 nights with a large group. We basically took over the hotel and we given amazing service the entire time. It was a very comfortable place to stay with a local feel. The service was incredible and the food was very tasty. Right in the heart of the old city, the location is perfect for exploring! Thank you for everything. I will definitely visit Istanbul again and will come back and stay at the Sumengen.
''EXCELLENCE and PERFECTION''
Sumengen was an incredible surprise. Location was critically important and the criteria was definitely met. I was initially disappointed at the posibility that I was on 2 below reception, only to discover that the room was not underground - but in fact still above ground at the back of the hotel. I imagine all rooms are beautiful situated to get maximum exposure.
The front desk staff are amazingly accommodating and helpful. The cleaning staff are exceptionally thorough. The breakfast buffet was very good with a view to still your breath. The 5th floor dining room with views of the waterfront with many sail and fishing boats were such an amazing surprise. If that isn't enough, walk up to the unrestricted 7th patio and have an unparalleled view of Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque. For those who need it, free internet too. Up the street is a bazaar which was perfect (not Grand Bazaar but sufficiently able to meet any shoppers needs), grocery stores, park, trolley and other transportation immediately available. Hammam, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque all within easy walking distance too.
Sumengen was described to me as a converted hostel now boutique hotel. I don't know about it's former incarnation (except perhaps the walls are definitely thin for noise) but the excellence and perfection in comfort, location, attentive staff all exceeded my expectations. Critically important - totally modern renovated bathrooms!
Our group of friends - 32 in total - had various experiences (outside loud wedding celebrations, train and dog, car noises) - but this is a city! Admittedly noise doesn't prevent my sleep. I enjoyed the music.
My previous trip to Istanbul was 1991 but this trip left me in love once again with beautiful Istanbul. Next time, I'll try for a 6th floor suite as I suspect there are the same double views that make Istanbul magical!
Because this is a group of family hotels, they can accommodate many people but also many needs. My early morning shuttle driver to the airport was an extremely helpful and interesting person to have my last chat with. He gave me much insight into an average person's life in Istanbul.
I have no hesitation in recommending Sumengen!
As an aside, our guide Caan was someone who was knowledgeable and made touring Istanbul joyful. His love of Istanbul was obvious in every description and depiction of life in Istanbul.
''Sumengen is my favorite hotel in Istanbul''
I travel to Turkey frequently and have stayed in many four star hotels in Istanbul. This time I discovered Sumengen. It is one of the best hotels in Istanbul. It is in a great location. Sumengen is a fine boutique hotel. It is small. It is renovated tastefully. Rooms are spacious. Bathrooms are beautiful and luxurious. Everything is spotless clean. There is a beautiful view of Sea of Marmara from the large terrace, the dining area and the rooftop. I have never seen such a great group as the staff of a hotel. Everyone is cheerful, friendly and helpful. The breakfast chef presented a fine selection of cheeses, pastries, fruits, omelets and many baked and cooked Turkish specialties. My wife and I stayed at Sumengen for three weeks and we enjoyed every day and night of it. For a week my 87-year old mother was with us. She received all the care and attention that a person at that age needs, and it was done all so lovingly. Sumengen is my favorite hotel in Istanbul! I want to thank all the staff one by one for making our stay in Sumengen so enjoyable.
Sohrab Behdad
''Lovely hotel in a great location''
Just had a super few days at Hotel Sumengen - right in the heart of Sultanahmet and with fantastic views of the Bosphorous River (lovely way to start the day with breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river). Rooms (two doubles) were very spacious and had really comfy beds (but we did upgraded to rooms on 6th floor so not sure if all like that). Really friendly hotel staff and very good breakfast. I'd definitely recommend it.
''fantastic hotel, everything you could wish for''
We have just returned from a trip to istanbul and we stayed in the Sumengen hotel and I have to say that the hotel, location and people could not have been better. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a very smiley young man that insisted on carrying our suitcases, check in was a breeze and the very helpful lady on reception told us all the best places to visit and how to get there (this was out first visit to Istanbul). The room was also a lovely surprise as it was very spacious, beautifully decorated, very clean and we also got clean linen and towels everyday. All throughout our stay the people could not have been better and I would recommend this hotel to anyone. People staying at the Sumengen also have the added benefit of having the use (for a small fee) of the turkish bath in the sister hotel next door which was nice to experience, just be weary of the over zealous beautician that tries to encourage you to have additional treatments that are very expensive and are quoted in Euros.
''Great for a family with little kids''
We had a great stay at this hotel. The family room had a sliding door that could close off the little ones while they slept and we could keep our lights on- rare for European hotels. Our bed was pretty hard (my husband called it a padded door) but we we slept well after all our sight seeing. The kids had a single bed and a fold out sofa. Fine for little ones (3 and 5) but the folding sofa could get uncomfortable for big people. The location is FABULOUS. Such an easy walk to the main sights and tram stop! Lots of restaurants nearby too. On Friday night there was some night club music that was loud until about midnight so if you are a light sleeper this might be a problem. The breakfast was really good and the staff were always friendly and attentive. They were especially kind to the kids. The rides to and from the airport were great - private car that was clean with safe drivers. I marked this hotel as roomy as compared to other European hotels - Americans may find it small but adequate.
''Lovely hotel in a great location''
Just had a super few days at Hotel Sumengen - right in the heart of Sultanahmet and with fantastic views of the Bosphorous River (lovely way to start the day with breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river). Rooms (two doubles) were very spacious and had really comfy beds (but we did upgraded to rooms on 6th floor so not sure if all like that). Really friendly hotel staff and very good breakfast. I'd definitely recommend it.
''Prime Location''
Sumegen Hotel is located just behind the Blue Mosque so it's very easy to walk to the main cultural attractions (ie, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace, the Grand Bazaar, etc) and if walking isn't what you want to do, you can easily hop on the metro or get a cab. The hotel staff are very pleasant and friendly, and answer any queries you may have. Whilst the hotel restaurant isn't on site, it is literally a minute walk to the hotel next door, where there is an amazing roof-top restaurant. I fully enjoyed my stay at Sumengen Hotel, and would readily go again.
''Perfect Place To Stay In Istanbul''
I love this hotel, it is one of my all time favorites. We stayed in a beautiful room with a view of the sea. This hotel is in a great location with quick access to the Blue Mosque and Citadel as well as numerous places to eat. The hotel staff was particularly helpful and friendly, making this stay even more enjoyable. We were there when there were not many tourists in the city, and hardly any in the hotel but they still provided a huge breakfast and plenty of staff to accomodate us. I can't say enough about this fabulous place!
''Great Location, Excellent Service, Good Value!''
We have just returned from a great stay in Istanbul, Turkey. We stayed at the Sumengen Hotel. We booked a family room for ourselves and our two children and our parents had a double room. The hotel was lovely. Spacious rooms, very clean and only a short walk to all the tourist sites and the tram system. For the rate that we paid we were very pleasantly surprised with the rooms that we got. The staff were very friendly and helpful and I had email conversations with Meral before we arrived. We were collected at the airport with compliments of the hotel and they also arranged our return for us. They gave us lots of information on places to visit and areas of interest. The breakfast was good with a hot and cold buffet and a beautiful sea view on the roof top terrace. I would definitely recommed Istanbul and the Sumengen hotel to everyone.
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